By Muhammed Lamin Drammeh
Communications Officer, GCCPC
The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC) has reached a significant milestone in its institutional development with the opening of its first regional offices in Basse and Farafenni, bringing competition and consumer protection services closer to thousands of Gambians.
The inauguration of the Basse office in the Upper River Region and the Farafenni office in the North Bank Region marks a historic step in the Commission’s efforts to decentralize its services and ensure that consumers and businesses across the country have easier access to protection, redress, and support.
Since its establishment, GCCPC has operated from its headquarters in Kotu, serving consumers and businesses nationwide. While the Commission has recorded notable achievements in promoting fair competition and protecting consumer rights, access to its services has remained a challenge for many people living in distant regions.
The opening of the two regional offices is designed to address that challenge by bringing the Commission closer to the communities it serves. The offices will facilitate the handling of consumer complaints, strengthen market surveillance, support investigations into anti-competitive practices, and improve public awareness of consumer rights and business responsibilities.
Speaking at the official launch of the Basse Regional Office, GCCPC Executive Secretary Basiru Njie described the occasion as a defining moment for the Commission and the people of the Upper River Region.
“Today, we break the distance. We are here, on your doorstep, because you matter. Your rights matter. Your businesses matter,” he said.
Mr. Njie emphasized that the establishment of the regional office demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that no consumer or business is disadvantaged because of where they live.
“Every member of staff of the Commission that walks through the doors of this regional office answers to you. We are here to listen, to protect, and to empower the people of the Upper River Region,” he stated.
The Executive Secretary noted that the Commission’s work goes beyond enforcing laws and regulations. At its core, he said, the Commission exists to improve the everyday lives of Gambians by ensuring fairness in the marketplace.
He illustrated this point through the experiences of ordinary consumers and entrepreneurs. He spoke of a mother who unknowingly purchases expired products and suffers financial loss, a young entrepreneur struggling against unfair business practices, and an elderly customer who pays for goods that are never delivered.
According to Mr. Njie, such challenges are common in communities across the country and often go unresolved because consumers do not know where to turn for help or are unable to access the necessary support.
“Before today, many people endured these experiences in silence because help felt too far away. Today, that changes,” he said.
He called on residents of the Upper River and North Bank Regions to embrace the new offices and make full use of the services they offer.
“Do not look at this office and think it belongs to the government or to some distant authority. This office belongs to you. We did not come all this way just to cut a ribbon and drive back. We came here to serve you,” he said.
Mr. Njie further urged consumers, farmers, traders, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to work closely with the Commission in promoting fair markets and protecting consumer rights.
“An open door means nothing if you do not walk through it. This is your house. Own it, trust it, and use it to its absolute limits,” he added.
The establishment of the regional offices represents a major achievement in GCCPC’s ongoing efforts to make its services more accessible and responsive to the needs of citizens across the country.
Beyond expanding the Commission’s physical presence, the offices symbolize a commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and effective public service. They provide consumers and businesses in the Upper River and North Bank Regions with a direct channel to seek assistance, report unfair trade practices, and obtain redress when their rights are violated.
As GCCPC continues to strengthen its presence nationwide, the opening of the Basse and Farafenni offices sends a clear message that consumer protection and fair competition are rights that belong to every Gambian, regardless of where they live.
As GCCPC expands its footprint beyond Kotu for the first time, the opening of the Basse and Farafenni offices stands as a testament to the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that consumer protection and fair competition are accessible to every Gambian. The message is clear: no community is too far away to be served, and no consumer or business should be left behind.
For complaints and inquiries:
Basse Regional Office: 7800033 / 6976665
Farafenni Regional Office: 7800034 / 6976655
Head Office (Kotu): 5000033
Together, we are building fairer markets and stronger consumer protection across The Gambia.
